Palm Bay Police Investigating Death of 12-Year Old Boy

'It’s a tragic, freak accident'

Palm Bay Detectives of the Special Victims Unit are investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy who was in foster care.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay Detectives of the Special Victims Unit are investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy who was in foster care.

The death occurred late Sunday evening on the 1300 block of Meadowbrook Road.

On Sunday evening officers were called to assist Palm Bay Fire-Rescue with an emergency call regarding a child not breathing. The child was airlifted to the trauma hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

The investigation revealed the child was in the backyard playing on one of two rope-style swings.

According to investigators, the child was alone in the backyard for approximately 15-20 minutes when it appears he accidentally got wrapped up in the open loop of the second swing which caused him to suffocate.

“It’s a tragic, freak accident,” said SVU Detective Jasmine Smith.

“We are still investigating all the circumstances and are still trying to notify the boy’s next of kin.”

There were three other foster children residing in the home that have been relocated.

The Department of Children and Families is now investigating the circumstances in the home.